I never take the insurance with the rental, but this is where you need to do your homework. I use a credit card that provides insurance. You need to read the card contract to see the amounts and limits of the coverage it provides. Some credit card companies allow you to sign up for a fee for coverage that is invariably less expensive than what the rental car companies provide.
I also reviewed my car insurance policy and saw I had rental car coverage through my policy. Using these coverages might involve some up-front costs and some time waiting for a claim to resolve, but it will inevitably save you money.
I always fill the gas for my rentals before returning them. While it can be a hassle, I never feel good about paying so much more for gas for the convenience of simply returning the car empty. I hate the companies that ask you to return the car at the same level of gas it had when you started because you can never get that calculus right.
Yes, I have been burned before. One time, we rented a car on a vacation where we discovered a flat tire while walking to it after dinner. The company switched cars for us but charged us for the tow. I should have used my AAA card for the towing rather than work through the car rental company.
The biggest lesson, though, is deciding which companies you want to do business with. I have had enough experience that I am going to avoid companies where I feel their business model is to maximize profits at the expense of the consumer. I’ll prioritize those that understand the benefits of repeat business and working with their customers.
In other words, I want to pay close attention to consumer reviews starting from the worst to the best. Understanding the complaints and how they are resolved is more useful than reading praise. And with that in mind, I am going to give my own reviews as a service to those who rent after me.
0 Comments